Metal seal and process of making



I Sept. 24, 1935. c, 5-, PRICE 2,015,605

METAL SEAL AND PROCESS OF MAKING Original Filed Sept. 24, 1928 WITNESS I INVENZORQ 67 06: ,5. Pr/ce A TTORNE Y Patented Sept. 24, 1935 METAL SEAL AND rnocsss or mxmc Charles s. Price, Hollis, N. Y.

Application September 24, 1928, Serial No. 301,990 I Renewed September 13, 1933 r 14 Claims.

This invention relates to metal seals, labels, letters and the like and the method of making the same where it is desired that such articles may be quickly and easily aifixed to paper, cardboard, leather, cloth and the like.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to improve on the process of making metallic characters or seals with adhesive on the backs thereof which is adapted for remoistening whereby said adhesive will not chip off the metal but will act to effectively hold the seal or other character to any desired article.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a metal seal provided with a thin coating of adhesive possessing all the qualities necessary in a successful article of this kind and at the same time produce cheaper seals by reason of a simplified procedure.

A further object is to provide a seal of this character provided with an adhesive backin relatively thin as compared with the backing previously used and which, by reason of its thinness, is more flexible, lending itself more readily to :lelicate embossing and conforming more closely to the surface to which it is attached.

A still further object of my invention is to produce a metal seal, label or the like provided with a coating of adhesive on the back, such coating being strongly adherent to the metal seal and also to any surface to which it may be attached after remoistening so that it will strongly resist any attempts to remove it after attachment, having no distinctly separate layers as in the case of i such articles previously produced, being homogenous, although oomposite'layers of adhesives'and not a combination of dissimilar substances.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particlar arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Metal seals with glue or other adhesive on the backs have. previously been made in a complicated manner, due to the fact that it has been impossible to obtain a suitable adhesive which can be remoistened and which at the same time had sufficient adhesion to the'metal portion. of the seal and to the article to which it was desired that it should be aflixed. There appeared to be no adhesive which possessed all the requisites for this purpose, namely, ability to be easily remoistened; quickly adhesive to any substance; permanently adherent to the metal seal; flexible after drying to permit forming, embossing and hearing operations on the metal after coating;

not corrosive or deliquescent; and, lastly, having a not unpleasant odor or taste.

In accordance with my process, a strip of metal is preferably first cleaned on both sides, either by passing it through a chemical cleaner or subjecting it to mechanical brushing, or both. The side to which it is desired to. apply the adhesive is then passed in contact with a revolving.

. roll of a coating machine and supplied with the first coating of adhesive. This consists of an adhesive such as a good pyroxylin lacquer, or a high gradelinseed oil varnish, which has a strong adhesive action with res t to metal but which is not capable of being remo stened. This first coat of adhesive is permitted to dry and a 15 second coat of a diiferentadhesive, capable of being remoistened, is applied thereto. This second coat is then allowed to become dry and the metal is then ready for manufacture into seals, labels or the like by any one of the several methods known to those skilled in the art.

As an alternative, however, I may apply to the metal, after the application of the first adhesive or varnish, an intermediate paper or fibrous strip and subsequently apply to the othe side of said strip the glue or other adhesive capable of being remoistened. The second coating of remoistening adhesive would not, if used by itself,

have sufilcient adhesion to the metal but it (1)88 exhibit strong adhesion to the first layer of adhesive or to the intermediate paper backing so that I am actually accomplishing with the combined coating of two different adhesives a result different from anything heretofore known in the art.

- Referring to the drawing illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined byv the appended claims. I

Figure 1 shows apparatus embodying my invention for treating strips of metal and paper or 40 other fibrous material with adhesive, rolling them into intimate contact, baking and applying the remoistening adhesive to the baked paper backed metal. Figure 2 shows a modified apparatus for performing a slightly different process.

Figure 3 shows a further modified apparatus for performing a still further modified process in accordance with my invention. Y Figure 4 is a front elevation of a metal seal produced in accordance with my invention.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of such a seal.

Figure 6 is a front. elevation of another form of seal produced in accordance with my inven-,- tion. P

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of such a seal.

Referring to the drawing in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and first consideringthe embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 1, I show a roll of metal tape I, a strip of metal 2 from which is drawn preferably first over an idler pulley 3 and across a cement, varnish or other adhesive applying'roll d. It will be noted thatthe roller l dips into a tank 5, which may contain a good pyroxylin lacquer or high grade linseed oil varnish, although it should be understood that I am not limited to using such an adhesive, as, if

desired, I might use a water soluble glue in general designated as not'remoistening,such as glue being soluble with difficulty when heated, such L as wood glue, or other adhesive.

After having the first coat applied by the roller 5 the metaltape may pass over another idler pulley or roller 6 and into a drying oven 1,

being supported in said oven by rods or rollers plied, the strip of metal preferably passes over' another idler pulley l4 and through another drying oven l5, being held inposition as heretofore by rods or rollers l6 therein, where it is thoroughly dried and subsequently preferably rolled up on the final roll H by means of a motor or other source of power l8.

In the foregoing description I have not referredto the roll of paper l9 which may be combined with the metal strip after application of the first adhesive thereto, but it willbe understood that, if desired, after the first adhesive has been applied by the roller 4, the strip of paper 20 from the roll l9 may be combined with the strip of metal 2 by being rolled into intimate contact therewith by passing through the rollers 2| adjustablypressed together, as by means of set screws 22. After the paper and metal have been thus firmly pressed together, the composite strip passes through the drying ovenl, as heretofore described, where it is thoroughly dried and afterwards the paper backed side of the strip has the second or remoistening adhesive applied thereto by the roller or drum l3 which dips into the tank of water soluble remoistening adhesive 23. After having the second coating of adhesive applied thereto the composite strip is then dried in a second oven l5 and reeled upon the roller I1.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 2, a form of apparatus is illustrated in which a roll of metal tape i supplies a strip of metal 2 which is drawn over an adhesive applying roller 4 which is kept supplied with varnish, lacquer or the like by dipping into a tank 5 thereof, the lower side of said metal being coated with the primary adhesive simultaneously with the application of lacquer .or the like to the other side of said metal, as by means of a spray 24. The purpose of applying the lacquer to the other side of the metal is to protect it against tarnish and act as a size when the labels are later printed. The first drying in the oven 1 and while still tacky rolled by means of rollers 2|, into intimate contact with a paper intermediate layer 20 drawn from a roll E9. The composite strip of metal and paper is finally dried or baked, preferably in an oven i5, and reeled upon the roll 1, as, in the previous embodiment. It will be noted that in the present embodiment the application of the second coat of adhesive has not been described. Such temporary omission of the final adhesive 1 may, in some cases, be advisable as it permits storing the metal without the final water soluble gum which sometimes causes trouble due to deterioration when stored for a long time. Such incompletely prepared strip can be coated with 1 the final gum on the paper backing just as it is needed.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 3, an apparatus is there disclosed'inwhich the preliminary coating 2 of adhesive is sprayed on the metal by'means of a sprayer 6 the strip of metal 2 being drawn from a roll l passed through a drying oven l and while still tacky rolled intointimate contact with a strip of paper 2|! drawn from a roller 2' I9 said metal and paper passing through pressure rollers 2| and then through a drying oven I5 and rolled on a roller ll It will be understood that the apparatus illustrated in both Figures 2 and 3 may be supplemented by an ad- 3 hesive coating miller and tank, such as illustrated in Figure 1 at 13 and 23, so that the composite strip may be immediately coated with the final glue and then dried in an oven, such as shown at I5, before being reeled and stored.

Referring now to the seal illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, there is here shown the final product resulting from my process and manufac-- tured by the apparatus heretofore described, that is, it will be understood that after the strip 4 of metal, which is preferably heavier than foil so as to hold its shape after forming, is coated and dried, as desired, it is printed or decorated, stamped or embossed and cut to form seals or the like of any desired character. Figures 4 4 and 5 illustrate a seal with the number I embossed thereon, the metallic outer or front portion 25 of which has a preliminary backing 26 of one adhesive and a second coat 21 of a different adhesive. The first adhesive, preferably waterproof, acts as a binder between the remoistening glue or second adhesive 21 and the-metal to permit it being formed, embossed and out without chipping or peeling.

Figures 6 and '7 show another product of my 5 process wherein is produced a seal with a metal outer or front layer 25 having a preliminary coating of a preferably waterproof adhesive 26', say varnish or lacquer, then a thin layer of paper 28, and finally a coat of remoistening gum 21 The function of the paper is to accelerate the rate of setting of the renioistening gum by protached to a. non-absorptive surface, such as glass.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a method and apparatus for producing metal seals in which two different adhesives are used, with or without a paper or fibrous layer 7 therebetween, whereby the metal. portion, which is desirably formed of brass or other non-rusting metal, is adapted to be firmly held upon any article to which it is applied. It will also be understood that the term varnish is used in its broad 7 the metal, and severing said characters one from the other.

2. The process of making metal characters and the like for attachment to various materials comprising coating a metal strip with varnish, drying said coat, applying liquid glue to the varnish coat, drying the glue, forming characters on the metal, and severing said characters one from the other.

3. In the process of making metal characters that will strongly adhere to various materials, the steps which comprise coating a metal strip with varnish, drying said coat, and applying liquid glue to the'varnish coat.

'4. A metal seal comprising a layer of metal, a

' coating of an oil varnish, and a coating of remoistening glue on said varnish, said seal being ornamented on the other side of the metal.

5. A metal seal comprising a layer of metal, a

coating of varnish, and a coating of remoistening glue on said varnish, said seal being ornamented on the other side of the metal.

6. The process of making metal characters and the like for attachment to various materials, comprising coating a metal strip with varnish, drying said coat, applying liquid glue to the strip on the same side as the varnish, dryingthe glue, forming characters on themetal, and severing said characters one from the other.

7. In the process of making metal characters that will strongly adhere to various materials, the steps which comprise coating a metal strip with varnish, drying said coat, and applying liquid glue to the strip on the same side as the varnish coat.

8. A metal seal comprising a layer of metal, a first coating of varnish, and a coating of remoistening glue onthe seal and secured to the varnish,

said seal being ornamented on the other side of the metal.

9. The process of making metal characters and the like for attachment to various materials. comprising coating a metal strip with a waterproof adhesive, attaching a strip of paper to said metal strip by means of said adhesive, drying the composite strip, applying liquid glue to the .paper of said strip, drying the glue, forming characters on the composite'strip, and severing said characters one from the other.

10. In the process of making metal characters that will strongly adhere to various materials, the

steps which comprise coating a metal strip with. a waterproof adhesive, attaching a strip of paper thereto by means of said adhesive, drying the composite strip, and applying liquid glue to the paper coated side of said strip.

11. A metal seal comprising a layer of a coating of a waterproof adhesive, 8. layer of paper attached to said metal by means of said adhesive, and a coating of remoistening glue on the outer surface of the paper, said seal being ornamented on the other side of the metal.

'12. The process of making metal characters and the like for attachment to various materials, comprising coating a metal strip with a waterproof adhesive, drying said coating, applying liquid glue to the strip on the same side as the waterproof adhesive, drying the glue, forming characters on the metal, and severing said characters one from the other.

13. In the process of making metal characters that will strongly adhere to various materials, the steps which comprise coating a metal strip with a waterproof adhesive, drying said coating, and applyin liquid glue to the strip on the same side as the waterproof adhesive.

14. A seal comprising a layer of metal, a first coating of a waterproof adhesive, and a coating of remoistening glue on the seal and secured to the waterproof adhesive, said seal being ornamented on the other side of the metal.

' CHARLES 8. PRICE. 

